Continuous welded rail heater



United States Patent [72] lnventor Charles D. Deal Mohnton, Pennsylvania 1211 Appl. No. 795,490 [22] Filed Jan. 31, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 25, 1970 [73] Assignee Reading Company Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a corporation of Pennsylvania [54] CONTINUOUS WELDED RAIL HEATER 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 126/2711, 266/5 [51] Int. Cl F23C 5/28, C2ld H08 [50] Field ofSearch 126/2712,

Wm. w- 2Z. 2Z 3Z1 9L E5F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ONeale ..126/271.2(C)UX 955,425 4/1910 ONeale ..126/27l.2(A)UX 1,026,026 5/1912 Engebritson et a1... 126/271.2A 2,236,425 3/1941 Evleth 266/4(F)UX 3,224,430 12/1965 Reifschneider et al.. 126/2712 Primary Examiner Charles J Myhre Attorney-Jackson, Jackson and Chovanes ABSTRACT: A continuous welded rail heater utilizing a plurality of propane burners projecting flames on opposite sides of the rail in such a way as to equalize the temperature, operating during continuous progression of the heater along the length of the rail, and guided on the rail. The liquid propane is vaporized by heat transfer from the heater guard to the liquefied propane tube. One heater is usually supported forwardly and one rearwardly of a propulsion vehicle, and the heaters at the ends remote from the vehicle are capable of being raised by hoists, permitting optional use of either one or both heaters at the same time.

Patented Aug. 25, 1970 Sheet I 0L3 INVENTOR 6%47/66 a 054/ a w I TTORNEYS Patented Aug. 25, 1910 Shnet Patented Aug. 25, 1970 Sheet '5 0f 3 & ATTORNEYS CONTINUOUS WELDED RAIL HEATER The present invention relates to a continuously moving heater, especially designed for preheating a welded rail section as it is being laid into the track, so as to expand the rail with a desired temperature which will minimize the tendency to cause buckling in summer.

A purpose of the invention is to mount one or a pair of heaters before and after a moving vehicle, each of the heaters being pivoted to the vehicle and capable of being raised at the end remote from the vehicle by a hoist or the like, so as to avoid interference with a grade crossing or a turnout switch. This means of raising the heaters also permits using optionally either or both heaters at the same time.

A further purpose is to position a plurality of burners along each side of the rail under a preferably dome-shaped guard, and to direct the flames in such a manner that uniform heating of the rail cross section will occur, preferably disposing the axis of the flame generally inwardly and downwardly at the side of the rail beneath the rail head.

A further purpose is to utilize liquid propane as a heating fuel, and to vaporize the liquid propane by heat transfer from the guard above the flames, desirably bringing the tubes carrying the liquid propane to the burners in contact with the upper surface of the guard. The header for the liquid propane is also preferably exposed to the flames.

In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate one only of the numerous embodiments in which the invention may appear, selecting the forms shown from the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective of the vehicle and the heaters of the invention lowered onto the track in operative position.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective of the vehicle showing 7 the heaters raised about the track.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one of the heaters in lowered position operating on the track, breaking away a portion of the vehicle and showing an auxiliary position for the diagonal brace.

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the heater of FIG. 3 on the line 4-4, showing in phantom the heater in raised position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front end elevation of the heater.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 66 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a central vertical section showing one of the propane tanks.

The difficulty of laying rail in the winter has been so serious that some railroads have discontinued this activity. The difficulty is increased where long sections of welded rails are involved, because there is no possibility of longitudinal adjustments as in the case of bolted joints.

In laying modern welded rail units, which may have a length of the order of 1440 feet, applying rail anchors every other tie, there has been difficulty with buckling of the rails in the summer when the rails were initially laid at a temperature of the order of 30,40 or 50F. It is thus highly important to be able to adjust the temperature of the rail during the process of laying.

In the prior art, efforts have been made to heat rails during laying by distributing hot air to the rails or by petroleum burners. Neither of these devices in the past has been wholly satisfactory.

In accordance with the present invention, liquidpropane is burned in multiple burners which are distributed longitudinally of the heater on both sides of the rail, and which are capable of applying the heat at the most advantageous point on the rail from the standpoint of uniform cross sectional heat distribution.

In the device of the invention, during the processof laying the rails, after the new rail section has been laid on the tie plates at the proper gage with respect to the adjoining rail, l propel a vehicle along the rails, at a controllable speed. preferably of the order of l824 feet per minute, carrying with the vehicle ahead of it or behind it or ahead and behind, heaters of the invention which are following the new rail section or sections. Each of the heaters of the invention is capable of being raised so as not to cause difficulty at grade crossings, or at switches, and either of the heaters can be optionally raised so as to be carried in an inoperative position while the other heater is following the rail and applying heat.

In some cases I dispose heaters on the front or the rear of the vehicle, or on the front and rear, to ride both rails simultaneously. This will be done when new rails are being laid at the same time on both sides.

In accordance with the invention, I accomplish by heat transfer from the suitably dome-shaped guard to the tubes through which the liquid propane enters the burners, the desired vaporization of the liquid propane, so that the burners can operate effectively.

Considering now the drawings in detail, the device of the invention comprises a self-propelled vehicle 20 having flanged wheels 21 driven by a motor 22 under the control of an operator over rails 22. The vehicle supports a plurality of propane tanks 23.

The individual tanks of liquid propane are interconnected in series if desired, each tank (FIG. 7) having a wall 40, an interior cavity 41, a dip tube 42 extending down near the bottom of the cavity, a tank valve 43, a metering control valve 44, and a suitable connection such as a T 45 into a header 46 which connects by a desirably flexible high pressure tube 47 to the particular heater. It is desired to have a separate tank assembly and header for each heater.

At each side of the front and back of the vehicle, there is provided a horizontal pivot 48 over each of the rails, vertically adjustable by slots 48 and bolts 48. This interconnects by a cooperating horizontal pivot 49 with heaters 51, which may be arranged both on the same rail, one in front and one behind the vehicle, or on parallel rails, both in front or both behind the vehicle, as desired. A single heater front or back is braced by a diagonal brace 50, horizontally pivoted to the vehicle at 50 and to the heater at 50 At the end of each heater remote from the vehicle there is a coupling 50 into which pivot 49 on each heater can connect, if two heaters are placed in series on the same rail in front of or behind the vehicle, the end ofthe heater most remote from the vehicle which is toward the vehicle resting on the heater nearest to the vehicle.

Each of the heaters 51 has an elongated truss-like frame 52 desirably made up of welded longitudinal components 53 and cross supporting gussets 54, extending for the length of each heater, which maybe of the order of 12 feet if desired.

The frame at the bottom supports a heat shield or guard 57, which may to advantage b made of stainless steel sheet, and which extends for the length of the heater and has a concave cross section, as shown. This is secured as by welding to the truss-like frame. At intervals along the frame downwardly and inwardly directed toward the center are provided burners 58 which, as shown, focus the center of the flame on the side or web of the rail slightlybelow the head. Each of the burners has a burner tube 60, a central fuel feed tube 61, a fuel discharge nozzle.62, and an end closure 63. Adjacent the upper end of the burner tube but below the end closure and toward. the lower end are distributed air injection ports 64 around the burner tube.

Each of .the burners is mounted in its inclined position by a U-bolt 65 anchoring to a longitudinal burner-supporting angle 66 in the frame.

and then connects at 72 with the fuel feed tube 61. The header 67 at the end toward the vehicle has a downward bend and a horizontal header portion 73 in contact with the flame to further aid in vaporizing the propane, and it connects to the flexible tube 47.

At the end of each heater remote from the vehicle there is provided a roller support 74 secured as by bolts 75 in upward adjustment slots 76, and having at the bottom a fork 77 which receives a pivot pin 78 on which an oppositely flanged rail head riding idler roller 80 is pivoted.

The vehicle has an overhead structure 81 on which is pivotally mounted a hoisting shaft 82 driven by a hydraulic motor 83 from a suitable hydraulic power source. The hoisting shaft has on it four hoisting drums 84, each of which is op posite one heater position on the front or on the back of the vehicle, and each of which is capable of moving upward or downward a hoisting cable 85 which is optionally connected to the end of the heater remote from the vehicle at a clevis 86, so that as desired, either heater can be raised to make it inoperative or lowered to contact the track to make it operate, or both heaters can be raised, if desired, to pass an obstruction such as a cross over or a switch.

The hoisting cables to the rear heaters are wound around the hoisting drums counterclockwise and those to the forward heaters are wound clockwise, so as to raise and lower the heaters together.

Each heater has eyelets 87 for insertion of lifting bars to remove the heater from the vehicle. Each heater has guide sockets 88 for receiving a spacing bar if heaters are operating side by side on different rails.

It will also be evident that if desired, the heater of the invention can be used for thawing or de-icing switches, in which case heaters may be raised and placed in stationary position over the switch points.

One of the great advantages of the heater of the invention using its liquid propane fuel is that it has little or no tendency to deposit carbon or other soot on the track.

In operation of the device of the invention, the old rail will be removed, and a new welded rail section will be located on the ties and tie plates and correctly gaged to the adjoining rail of the track. At this time, the vehicle and the heaters of the invention are positioned so that one side of the vehicle can run on the old rail and the other on the new rail. If the weather is extremely cold, then both heaters may be arranged opposite the new rail and lowered by the hoist so that guiding rollers are in contact with the new rail. Otherwise, one heater usually suffices. In some cases, however, it is preferred to locate a new rail at both sides of the track, and in this case heaters can work simultaneously on both new rails.

The vehicle is progressed forward at a speed which will, after temperature adjustment, bring the new rail to a temperature of between 70 and 90F., and preferably about 80F, and hold it at this temperature for a period long enough to apply the rail anchors to the rail at selected ties. Usually in operating at ambient temperatures down to as low as +12F., two heaters progressing at a speed of l824 feet per minute will, after five minutes time lapse for equalizing, bring the rail to a temperature of about 80 F. If the ambient temperature is of the order of 30F. or above, it will be sufficient to use one heater in contact with the rails.

As soon as the heater has completed its run over the new rail and a short time has been allowed for equalizing the temperature, such as five minutes as mentioned, the rail anchors can be affixed by means of an anchor applicator as well known in the art. Once the rail anchors have been properly affixed, it is proper to proceed to install another elongated rail section and go through the same procedure. If an interruption in operation is planned, then it would be appropriate to join the new rail to the old rail after a particular section is put in, in which case a gap is left to allow room for the expanding rail to move while the heating operation is being completed.

It will be understood that in the operation, liquid propane flows from the tanks under internal pressure, and is vaporized by the heat transfer from the shield to the copper tube section and heating of the header before the liquid propane enters the burner. In starting the burners, liquid propane is ignited as it issues from the nozzle.

As the heat builds up, the propane is vaporized and normal operation ofthe burners then begins.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I therefore claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

I claim:

1. In a continuous preheater for welded rail sections, a vehicle adapted to move along a track of which one rail is the welded rail section, a heater connected to the vehicle extending out from the vehicle longitudinally of the welded rail section, flame heating means mounted on the heater and projecting flames on opposite sides of the welded rail section as the heater progresses along the track, a longitudinally extending shield of concave cross section above the flame heating means and in contact therewith, a source of liquid propane fuel for the flame heating means and connections from the source of liquid propane fuel to the flame heating means including tubes which are in heat transfer relation with the shield and which vaporize the liquid propane before it comes to the flame heating means, guide means following the rail at the end of the heater remote from'the vehicle, a pivotal connection between the vehicle and the heater at the end of the heater adjoining the vehicle, and hoisting means mounted on the vehicle, interconnected to the heater at the end remote from the vehicle and adapted to raise the heater about the pivot.

2. A heater of claim 1, in which the flame heating means projects the flame downwardly and inwardly toward the rail to strike the rail on the side thereof below the head, whereby after a short interval of time the temperature of the rail can equalize through the mass of the rail cross section.

3. A continuous preheater for welded rail sections, comprising an elongated frame adapted to extend longitudinally above a rail, guide means on the frame to follow a rail, a longitudinally extending shield of concave cross section on the bottom of the frame, a source of liquid propane fuel, a plurality of burners distributed longitudinally of the frame directing a flame on opposite sides of the rail at the side of the rail below the head thereof, and connections from the source of liquid propane fuel to the burners which are in heat transfer relation to the shield to vaporize the propane. 

